Johnny & The Roccos

-- This is the official home of Johnny & The Roccos on MySpace------ Please keep in mind that due to a buissy schedule Bob cannot respond to personal emails. But he do visit this site when the time allouds so please leave a comment. Thank you for your kind support. We could not do it without you.-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Johnny & The Roccos are undoubtedly one of the finest rock 'n' roll bands to come out of Scotland. In rock 'n' roll circles, their reputation is well-known. Their dedication and outstanding live performances have qualified them for a privileged position among the rock 'n' roll fraternity, and not just in the UK; in the last three decades they have nurtured a growing interest in Scandinavia and have gained the respect of many American artists. ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------For much of the late 70s and 80s, the band's touring schedule was packed, as they played back-up to visiting US artists including Billy Lee Riley, Sonny Fisher, Eddie Fontaine, Buddy Knox and Ray Campi. ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------- The long-time leader of the band, Bob Fish, had been playing the Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee blues style for some time when he was asked to play a rock 'n' roll gig in 1971. The warm reaction from both the audience and the promoter opened a whole new scene for Bob, and since then he hasn't looked back. Renaming his band, the Bi-Planes, to Johnny & The Roccos in 1972, the trio raised their status from semi-pro to full-time professionals in early 1973. ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------- Recording their live gigs, as well as studio albums, the band's releases were often limited edition pressings and soon became collector's items. Bob was astounded when he heard tales that his 1975 studio album for the SRT label was exchanging hands for several hundred pounds among Scandinavian record collectors. ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------- Established blues producer Mike Vernon discovered the band by chance in the early 80s. On his return home after a disappointing band showcase in the West End, Mike stopped off at the Red Lion in Brentford, Middlesex. Having paid his entrance fee and parked himself somewhere near the stage with a pint, he was surprised and impressed by the performance that followed. He writes: "The trio was very strong in all departments and I had a feeling that here was the beginning of a long working relationship."